Sabun

Sabun is the Indonesian and Malay word for soap, a substance used for cleaning. In everyday usage, sabun refers to both solid bars and liquid preparations intended for personal care (sabun mandi, sabun tangan) and for general cleaning (sabun cuci).

Most traditional sabun are produced by saponification, a chemical reaction in which fats or oils react with an alkali such as sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide to form soap salts and glycerol. Modern products may also use synthetic detergents, fragrance, colorants, moisturizers such as glycerin, and anti-bacterial agents. Typical bar sabun are solid, while sabun cair (liquid soap) emulsify dirt with surfactants and are often used for handwashing and showering.

Common varieties include transparent glycerin soaps, medicated soaps, and specialty forms for infants or sensitive skin. In many markets, antibacterial sabun containing agents like triclosan have been restricted due to safety concerns and environmental impact.

Uses extend from personal hygiene to household cleaning and industrial applications. The environmental impact of soaps and detergents, especially when phosphate additives or non-biodegradable surfactants are present, has led to regulations in several countries.

Historically, soapmaking is ancient, with early evidence from Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean. The modern soap industry emerged in Europe and North America after the 19th century, with improvements in processing, fragrances, and packaging. The word sabun reflects local linguistic adoption of the term for cleansing substances.